Ride with Your Mind Essentials: Innovative Learning Strategies for Basic Riding Skills

By Mary Wanless

Whilst the horse world is rich in descriptions that tell us what horse and rider should look like, we lack good information about exactly "how" to produce the desired results. Good horsemen ride well without knowing how they do it, and without understanding why you are not like them and cannot do it too. During 23 years of research it has been Mary Wanless's personal mission to expose the secrets of horsemanship, breaking down riding skills into "bite-size chunks" and finding ways of describing them that work for average riders. By using the learning strategies given here the rider should discover how to connect with the horse in a way that makes sense to him and enables him to carry himself well, in self-carriage. At the same time the techniques aim to offer the rider security, stability and effectiveness in the saddle. This title sets out to simplify "Ride With Your Mind" methods and to provide a basic tool-kit for the acquisition of a truly independent seat in walk, trot and through transitions, on straight lines, turns and circles - and, importantly, how to make corrections when things don't go exactly to plan. Mary explains how to use the hands, legs and body correctly, and gives the ingredients for perfect contact. In each section, the instruction is backed up by practical self-tests and exercises to ensure success, and there are ideas for troubleshooting during the learning process and in the future.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1872119522
• ISBN13: 9781872119526
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Kenilworth Press
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Excellent and helpful book

One of the best training books I've ever read! Key exercises and concepts are explained in a way that avoids jargon and can be implemented. My riding has has noticeably improved (comments from my trainer)since I've been reading/working through the exercises in the book. It is a worthwhile investment, especially in today's circumstances where people's riding budget may be more limited.

wish I`d read this years sooner

I`ve mainly ridden (for a few years) as an adult and have my own horse. It is through my horse that I`ve discovered just how weak my riding truly was. Pretty good on school horses, but with my horse it`s a different story. On one hand my weaknesses are completely pointed out and unforgiven, yet my successes (when they truly are successes) are equally rewarded. I`ve looked at lots of other methods to achieve riding and partnership success with my horse, including Parelli, yet this is hands down the best approach to riding I`ve found. I`ve only just begun to practice the methods and exercises in this book and already I`m seeing great results. No question it`s alot of work and coordination, but when you get it right it feels truly wonderful! I already feel much more secure even though I`m far from the ideal as she puts it. I particularly like her references to how great riders seem to be `just sitting there and doing nothing`, when in fact they are doing quite alot, with very high muscle tone and she then explains in detail just how you can do it too. I`ve read other books that are filled with riding jargon but light on specifics - I love this book because of the great detail of specifically describing each aspect then telling you how to achieve it complete with both on and off horse exercises. My only regret is not finding this book sooner - from the title I had always thought it would be more about riding psycology - it is decidedly NOT, and all about body mechanics, both for you and the horse!

Where has this been all my life?

I have loved and ridden horses all my life. I thought I knew what I was doing. After the first reading of Mary's other book, Ride with Your Mind Masterclass, I realized I have a lot more to learn. For me, this book, Essentials, is the follow-on to Masterclass. There are several pieces to the puzzle in this book that are not in Masterclass. On the other hand, this book has a pared-down presentation (which you might expect from the title), and in many cases the text and illustrations did not make it clear to me what I was to do or how I was to feel. I was glad to have read Masterclass first. Now that I have, I need this book too, because it goes into much more detail about some aspects of riding.

Wonderful book!

This is the most useful training book (for any subject!) that I have read. Mary Wanless is truely gifted at explaining what common terms actually mean in a physical sense. Since auditing a clinic where I purchased the book, my riding has improved tremendously. I'm still a raw beginner (even though I've been riding for a few years), but am starting to feel secure and effective in the saddle. Its hard work, but I can feel my muscles developing and changing which is very rewarding. Plus my Norwegian Fjord Horses seem happier :-) I recommend this book to everyone!

Beyond Centerd Riding

Where Sally Swift, through Centered Riding opened the door to riding in balance with awareness, Mary Wanless leads us through that same door and into the light. She describes how the best riders in the world achieve flawless, brilliant performances from their horses with seemingly little use of their bodies. Many of them don't know or can't tell you how they do it! Mary wanless has come to a total understanding of HOW. But more than that, she serves it up in small, " digestable chunks" that we can easily digest and use in our search for the connection with our horse that will achieve the beauty and lightness and willingness we all desire . Her knowledge of horse and human biomechanics is key. Her ability to teach it goes beyond what "good" riding instructors impart to their students. She is truly gifted in her ability to teach what has taken her a long time to learn. This is the true "Basics" we hear about that we need for the foundation of our riding that must stay with us throughout our riding career no matter what horse sport we choose.